An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 438 pages of information about An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies.

An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 438 pages of information about An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies.

[The one out of Favour, his end.] Till at length Hugh Smart, having a desire to hear news concerning England, privatly got to the Speech of a Dutch Embassadour.  Of which the King had notice, but would not believe it, supposing the information was given him out of Envy to his Favorite, but commanded privately to watch him, and if he went again, to catch him there.  Which he not being aware of, went again, and was catched.  At which the King was very angry.  For he allows none to come to the speech of Ambassodours, much less one that served in his presence, and heard and saw all that passed in Court.  But yet the King dealt very favourably with him.  For had it been a Chingulay, there is nothing more sure than that he should have dyed for it.  But this English mans Punishment was only to be sent away and kept a Prisoner in the Mountains without Chains, and ordered him to be well used there.  Where indeed he lived better content than in the Kings Palace.  He took a Wife here and had one Son by her, and afterwards dyed by a mischance, which was thus.  As he was gathering a Jack from the Tree by a Crock, it fell down upon his side, and bruised him so that it killed him.

[The other out of Favour, and lamentable Death.] Henry Man the other, yet remained in Favour, and was promoted to be Chief over all the Kings Servants that attended on him in his Palace.  It happened one Day, that he broke one of the Kings China Dishes.  Which made him so sore afraid, that he fled for Sanctuary into a Vehar, a Temple where the Chief Priests always dwel, and hold their consultations.  This did not a little displease the King; this Act of his supposing him to be of Opinion that those Priests were able to secure him against the Kings displeasure.  However he shewing Reverence to their Order would not violently fetch him from thence; but sent a kind Message to the English man, bidding him not to be afraid for so small a matter as a Dish (And, it is probable had he not added this fault he might have escaped without Punishment) and that he should come and Act in his place as formerly.  At which Message he came forth, and immediatly, as the King had given order, they took hold of him and bound his Arms above the Elbows behind, which is their fashion of binding men.  In which manner he lay all that Night, being bound so hard that his Arms swelled, and the Ropes cut throw the Flesh into the Bones.  The next day the King Commanded a Noble man to loose the Ropes off his Arms, and put Chains on his Legs, and keep him in his House, and there feed him and cure him.

Thus he lay some Six Months, and was cured, but had no Strength in his Armes, and then was taken into his Office again, and had as much Favour from the King as before.  Who seemed much to lament him for his folly, thus to procure his own ruine.

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An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.